Escort Mutilation Case Postponed To August

STERLING HEIGHTS (WWJ/AP) – A preliminary examination for a Sterling Heights man charged in connection with the slayings of four women has been postponed to give his lawyer time to prepare the case.

James Brown, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of arson, mutilation of a dead body and disinternment, appeared Friday in Sterling Heights District Court.

His hearing was delayed to Aug. 13.

The bodies of 24-year-old Demesha Hunt and 23-year-old Renisha Landers were found Dec. 19 in separate car trunks in Detroit. The bodies of Natasha Curtis and Vernithea McCrary were found Christmas Day in the trunk of burning car.

Detroit police have said they believe the women were killed elsewhere and their bodies were later dumped in Detroit.

Three of the women had placed adult dating service ads on Backpage.com.